October Term 2012 · Docket 12-307
Can the House defend a law when the President opposes it?
The dispute centers on whether the House of Representatives has standing to defend a federal statute when the executive branch agrees with the plaintiff that the law is unconstitutional.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
Ms. Jackson argued the United States does not ask the Court to redress its asserted injuries.
Ms. Jackson stated the House Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group asserts no judicially cognizable injury.
Mr. Clement argued the House is the proper party to defend the constitutionality of an Act of Congress.
Mr. Clement cited precedent holding the House defends laws when the executive agrees with the plaintiff.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 27-17 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 27-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 35-9 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 35-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 111, lines 39-47 — Transcript, file page 111, lines 39-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 113, lines 49-3 — Transcript, file page 113, lines 49-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 19-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 25-43 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 25-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 5-9 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 5-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 11-33 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 11-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 9-9 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 9-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 35, lines 19-33 — Transcript, file page 35, lines 19-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 21-15 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 21-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 7-19 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 7-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 33-23 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 33-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 25-1 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 25-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 17-25 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 17-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 45-49 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 45-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 33-49 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 33-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 13-17 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 13-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 21-23 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 21-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 27-29 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 27-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 3-29 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 3-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 39-47 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 39-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 49-19 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 49-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 35-39 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 35-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 45-3 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 45-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 27-37 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 27-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 43-11 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 43-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 3-33 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 3-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 25-31 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 25-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 9-15 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 9-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 80, lines 35-5 — Transcript, file page 80, lines 35-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 15-49 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 15-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 94, lines 51-37 — Transcript, file page 94, lines 51-37
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
This case tests the constitutional limits of legislative power. The core conflict involves the separation of powers between the legislative and executive branches. The Court must determine who holds the authority to defend federal laws in court.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 111, lines 39-47 — Transcript, file page 111, lines 39-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 11-33 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 11-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 9-9 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 9-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 35, lines 19-33 — Transcript, file page 35, lines 19-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 21-15 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 21-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 33-23 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 33-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 80, lines 35-5 — Transcript, file page 80, lines 35-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 94, lines 51-37 — Transcript, file page 94, lines 51-37
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on March 27, 2013.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 113, lines 49-3 — Transcript, file page 113, lines 49-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 7-19 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 7-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 25-1 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 25-1
What each side wants
The United States wants the Court to dismiss the case for lack of standing.
The House of Representatives wants the Court to affirm the lower court's rejection of the law.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 111, lines 39-47 — Transcript, file page 111, lines 39-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 11-33 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 11-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 9-9 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 9-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 35, lines 19-33 — Transcript, file page 35, lines 19-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 21-15 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 21-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 33-23 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 33-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 80, lines 35-5 — Transcript, file page 80, lines 35-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 94, lines 51-37 — Transcript, file page 94, lines 51-37
What each side says
The United States argues the House lacks a judicially cognizable injury to defend the statute.
The House argues it is the proper party to defend the constitutionality of an Act of Congress.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 111, lines 39-47 — Transcript, file page 111, lines 39-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 11-33 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 11-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 9-9 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 9-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 35, lines 19-33 — Transcript, file page 35, lines 19-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 21-15 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 21-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 33-23 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 33-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 80, lines 35-5 — Transcript, file page 80, lines 35-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 94, lines 51-37 — Transcript, file page 94, lines 51-37
What the justices asked
Chief Justice Roberts asked about the jurisdictional basis for the Court's review.
Justice Breyer asked why a fiduciary would have standing to act under the law despite believing it unconstitutional.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 27-17 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 27-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 35-9 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 35-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 113, lines 49-3 — Transcript, file page 113, lines 49-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 19-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 25-43 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 25-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 5-9 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 5-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 7-19 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 7-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 25-1 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 25-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 17-25 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 17-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 45-49 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 45-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 33-49 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 33-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 13-17 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 13-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 21-23 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 21-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 27-29 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 27-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 3-29 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 3-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 39-47 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 39-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 49-19 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 49-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 35-39 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 35-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 45-3 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 45-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 27-37 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 27-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 43-11 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 43-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 3-33 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 3-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 25-31 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 25-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 9-15 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 9-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 15-49 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 15-49
Why it matters
This dispute defines the constitutional role of the legislative branch in defending federal statutes. It clarifies the separation of powers between the executive and legislative branches. The outcome shapes the ability of Congress to protect its laws from judicial review.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 111, lines 39-47 — Transcript, file page 111, lines 39-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 11-33 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 11-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 9-9 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 9-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 35, lines 19-33 — Transcript, file page 35, lines 19-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 21-15 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 21-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 33-23 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 33-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 80, lines 35-5 — Transcript, file page 80, lines 35-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 94, lines 51-37 — Transcript, file page 94, lines 51-37
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 27-17 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 27-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 35-9 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 35-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 113, lines 49-3 — Transcript, file page 113, lines 49-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 19-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 25-43 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 25-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 5-9 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 5-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 7-19 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 7-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 25-1 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 25-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 17-25 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 17-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 45-49 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 45-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 33-49 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 33-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 13-17 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 13-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 21-23 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 21-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 27-29 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 27-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 3-29 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 3-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 39-47 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 39-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 49-19 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 49-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 35-39 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 35-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 45-3 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 45-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 27-37 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 27-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 43-11 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 43-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 3-33 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 3-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 25-31 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 25-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 9-15 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 9-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 15-49 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 15-49
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 111, lines 39-47 — Transcript, file page 111, lines 39-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 11-33 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 11-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 9-9 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 9-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 35, lines 19-33 — Transcript, file page 35, lines 19-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 21-15 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 21-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 33-23 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 33-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 80, lines 35-5 — Transcript, file page 80, lines 35-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 94, lines 51-37 — Transcript, file page 94, lines 51-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 111, lines 39-47 — Transcript, file page 111, lines 39-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 11-33 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 11-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 9-9 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 9-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 35, lines 19-33 — Transcript, file page 35, lines 19-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 21-15 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 21-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 33-23 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 33-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 80, lines 35-5 — Transcript, file page 80, lines 35-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 94, lines 51-37 — Transcript, file page 94, lines 51-37
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.